Page 10-Grower and Marketer, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 22, 2000 Planned (Continued from Pag* 1) and because they came to mark et sooner than expected. Bums has decided to return to grow ing only muskmelons and tomatoes this year. For the cantaloupes. Bums grows two rows placed six feet apart. Plants are grown right to the end of the tunnels. The can taloupes are under black plastic with irrigation lines under neath. The muskmelons were planted May 1, about a month or more earlier than conven tional crops. The tomatoes are grown on a wooden 6-foot stake and weave system, two feet apart, on three rows inside the high tunnel, Bums noted. Planted were an early variety, Bush Early Girl, a “very good, early variety, with large fruit size,” he said. Also planted was Big Beef, a beef steak tomato. Because of high tempera tures the past summer, the Big Beef tomatoes experienced “catfacing,” or deformed fruit. This year Bums wants to test out another beefsteak variety, Goliath, to see if it is resistant to catfacing. Bums pays for his seeds and conduct*! hi‘i'' vn trials. He also ||»“SSSK> IWBHBB 1-800-414-4705 Plant While Preserving Precious Soil Moistures And Residues • Available in 7’ to 40’ models • No til or conventional • 3 pt /caddy mounted/foldmg units Cut And Condition • Working width from 10’ - 32’ • A proven veteran of millions of acres • Wing units transport at 12’4" • Wing gauge wheels standard WE HAVE A MACHINE TO EXCI y%T|/T rVtUIIOC r P 133 Rothsville Station Rd. f rwr M • BtVUS>- 1 Wl# - (717) 626-4705 1 -800-414-4705 Fa rm Plan Fax 717-626-0996 www.binkleyhurst.com gp Installed Correctly wants to try different mulch colors. High tunnels are an ideal way to ensure early crops. For one thing, growing degree days are increased because of the heating. The leaves stay dry, which keeps fungal problems away. The past growing sea sons, “we didn’t spray any fun gicides, and got very little early blight on the tomatoes,” he said. However, the sides of the houses needed to be rolled up because there is some leaf moisture, in the morning from normal condensation. The varieties of tomatoes were cared for and sold by Bums’ sons, Dan, 14, and Pete, 12. The cantaloupes went to St. Marys and Ridgway in Elk County and the Emporium in Camron County. For heating when needed, Bums used a small 20-pound propane heater. But it wasn’t used because of the mild nights last spring. Tomatoes arc brought to harvest about six weeks early. Growers can pay for the cost of the tunnels “the first season,” Bums said. Bums has faced a few chal lenges with tlie high tunnels. Where Penn State rolls up the sides of the tunnel on the inside, because of problems with post screws on the frame sides, Bums was faced with rolling the 6- mil plastic on the outside. During the winter, the plastic was left on the greenhouse-like structure. It was “easy to do,” he said. “We used a broom to gently knock the snow down.” Fortunately, last winter wasn’t too hard on the small growing operation. But with significant snowfall, the worry is that the structure could collapse. Bums noted during the Ag Progress Days tour that the tun neb are valuable because they can stretch the tomato produc tion season until the second week of October. They also tried growing some basil with the houses, which “does well," said Bums. The extension agent was concerned that because of the nearly enclosed system, polli nation would be affected. But he didn’t find that to be the case. The vine plants pollinated well. Size And Incorporate Soil-Retaining Residue • Working widths 9’ - 29’ • Heaviest frames in the industry • 1,750# point pressure • Subsoil shanks available • Exceptional residue flow ipen Up ipaction Layers ire in the business ie wheels “Uplift” And Distribute Valuable Surface Residue • Super duty construction • 18’ - 38’ working widths • 190# point pressure ED YOUR TILLAGE NEEDS! SUNFLOWER MESSICK'S Equipment Built for you For a tractor that matches your needs perfectly, choose a TN tractor from New Holland. It's packed with big tractor features that save you time and make you money: ■ New 3-cylinder engines deliver lugging power that will send you looking for bigger jobs to tackle. ■ Clutchless power shuttle option lets you shift from forward to reverse with only the touch of a finger. ■ Faster cycle times thanks to the highest pump flow in the business. Stop by and pick out a tractor that's built for you. A New Holland TN tractor. MESSICK'S Equipment RD #l, Box 225 A Rt. 30, Abbottstown, PA 17301 Phone (717) 259-6617 & ICWHOUAN)
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